As Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, the summer and winter months are opposite to seasons in Europe. However, as it has a classic tropical climate, the island offers delicious warm weather all year round. On the coast, temperatures are higher by a few degrees.

The most popular months to book Mauritius holiday packages are between May and November, where you'll enjoy dry and sunny temperatures, with lows of 20°C. While during the Mauritian summer, from November to April, the days are hot and humid.

The hottest month is January, with an average of 26°C across the month. The highest rainfall occurs in the months of February and March, making cheap Mauritius holidays even easier to find, but February is also when the sea temperature is at its warmest - a toasty 28°C.

Health and safety

Vaccinations against Hepatitis A and Tetanus are usually recommended when travelling to Mauritius, and it's advised to visit your GP six to eight weeks before you travel to check you're up to date with your primary courses and boosters.

Since 2012 water supplied by the Mauritius Central Water Authority is treated to meet the norms set by the World Health Organization for drinkable water. This means tap water is fine for drinking but bottled water is readily available if you prefer.

As with any holiday, you should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself and family on your trip.

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is the main airport in Mauritius, located 42 kilometres southeast of the capital city of Port Louis. Most tour operators include transfers as part of a holiday package and transfer times average an hour, so getting to your resort is easy. If you'd prefer to make your own way, you'll find an abundance of airport taxis in the tour operator hall with fares ranging from £10 to £45 depending on the proximity of your resort.

Mauritius is not a large island but one to two hour drives between attractions are not uncommon due to the narrow roads twisting through the mountains and congested towns. Two major highways connect the airport and central plateau to the north.

Buses are a fun and inexpensive way to explore Mauritius and you'll find a widespread network with services operating from 5.30am to 8.00pm in built up areas and 6.30am to 6.30pm in the countryside.

Advice for travellers with children

With its warm and welcoming people, this is a lovely destination for a family break. Apart from the glorious beaches, you'll find plenty of nature parks to explore, exciting boat trips and non strenuous gorges to hike, filling your little ones with wonder.

Most resorts cater well for families, offering facilities such as kids' clubs, evening childcare services and an incredible selection of dinner buffets. Book your Mauritius holidays All Inclusive and a range of family-friendly dining options will be included in your stay. Local supermarkets will also stock many of your favourite brands should you run out of supplies.